Golf-Swirling winds trouble players but don't deter fans

* Gusty winds cause problems at London Club

* Crowds flock thanks to free ticket offer

By Tom Pilcher

ASH, England, May 30 (Reuters) - Strong winds at the European Open on Saturday made the closing holes at the London Club a major challenge, leading players said.

"I was happy to escape the last five holes in one-over par," said Rory McIlroy, who thrilled the crowd with a superb bunker escape for par at the 18th.

The 20-year-old Northern Irishman told reporters the wind was impossible to read.

"If it's warm and it's calm, I would hit a seven-iron 180 yards. Today I came up 30 yards short from 153 yards," he said of the par-four 16th.

Dane Soren Hansen shot the day's lowest score of five-under in calmer conditions earlier on but said the course was still unbelievably tough.

"The last few holes on this golf course are just brutal," he said. "If you shoot two or three under today it's a very good score."